Ear protecting device

ABSTRACT

An ear protecting device for protecting a wearer from annoying and/or damaging noise levels. The device is comprised of a connecting member and a pair of muffs suitable for covering a wearer&#39;s ears. The muffs are suspended from opposite portions of the connecting member. The muffs are permeable to water vapor. Each said muff is at least partially porous. Each said muff has a specific airflow resistance of at least 15,000 SI rayls. Each said muff has a permeance of at least 2 metric perms.

The present invention relates to an ear protecting device.

Numerous ear protecting devices have been developed for protecting a wearer from annoying and/or damaging noise levels. One class of such devices, generally known as earmuffs, is comprised of a connecting member and a pair of muffs suitable for covering a wearer's ears. The muffs are suspended from opposite portions of the connecting member.

Earmuffs have been, and are, a significant factor in the hearing protection market. Their use, as a fraction of the total ear protecting device market, has however been declining despite the fact that the number of earmuff manufacturers has increased. This is, in part, due to the poor long-term comfort of these devices. Users have complained of a moist, hot, uncomfortable condition caused by normal perspiration. Muffs are constructed to conform to a wearer's ears so as to maximize their attenuating characteristics. As a result thereof, they do not allow water vapor (perspiration) to escape.

A cooler, more comfortable, sound attenuating earmuff is provided through the present invention. The present invention provides an earmuff which allows water vapor to escape without materially compromising its noise attenuating properties. The present invention provides a porous muff which allows for moisture transmission, yet one which provides attenuation which compares favorably with similar nonporous muffs. The present invention additionally provides a muff which compensates for rapid changes in pressure which occur on aircraft and submarines. It permits an airflow which in turn allows equilibrium pressure to be attained on each side of the eardrum.

A porous muff which provides essentially full attenuation in comparison to similar nonporous muffs is highly unexpected. An article taken from Volume 15, Number 3 of the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America states the following on page 158:

It was found that any small hole in the septum or insert--even the tiny hole of a No. 80 drill--ruined the acoustic insulation.

A similar finding is found in a Jan. 1955 article taken from the same journal (Volume 27). The article entitled, "Factors Determining the Sound Attenuation Produced by Earphone Sockets," states the following on page 146:

In order to obtain high sound attenuation, the air space between the socket and the eardrum must be isolated from the outside air.

Still similar findings appear in U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,040. U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,040 states the following in column 1, lines 10-14:

When the ports are closed, the ear defender assembly provides maximum attenuation to airborne sounds and noises, but when the ports are opened airborne sounds are permited to reach the wearer's ears in a fairly normal manner.

The presence of a "disc or pad 7 of suitably porous material such as felt or preferably plastic" (U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,040) is insignificant. The same is true for the porous or open materials of U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,909,856; 3,454,962; 3,588,914; 3,644,939; 3,661,225; 3,728,741; 3,823,713; 4,094,303; and 4,174,155. None of these patents disclose an earmuff which allows water vapor to escape without materially compromising its noise attenuating properties. None of these patents disclose an earmuff which allows for moisture transmission, yet one which provides attenuation which compares favorably with similar nonporous muffs.

It is accordingly an object of the subject invention to provide a more comfortable ear protecting device for protecting a wearer from disturbing noise levels.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the structure for a typical hearing protector device within the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a log-log plot of attenuation versus specific airflow resistance at 125 Hz;

FIG. 3 is a log-log plot of attenuation versus specific airflow resistance at 250 Hz;

FIG. 4 is a log-log plot of attenuation versus specific airflow resistance at 500 Hz; and

FIG. 5 is log-log plot of attenuation versus specific airflow resistance at 1000 Hz.

The present invention provides an ear protecting device for protecting a wearer from annoying and/or damaging noise levels. The device is comprised of a connecting member and a pair of muffs suitable for covering a wearer's ears. The muffs are suspended from opposite portions of the connecting member. The connecting member can be a band, such as a headband or a helmet with auxiliary hardware or any other means which are, or which may become, known to those skilled in the art. The muffs are permeable to water vapor. Each of the the muffs is at least partially porous. Each of the muffs have a specific airflow resistance of at least 15,000 SI rayls. Each of the muffs have a permeance of at least 2 metric perms.

The desirable combination of properties attributable to the muff of the present invention is achieved by carefully controlling the size, shape and number of pores so as to obtain a specific airflow resistance of at least 15,000 SI rayls on the one hand and a permeance of at least 2 metric perms on the other. Attenuation increases as the specific airflow resistance increases. Water transmission increases as the permeance increases. The specific airflow resistance is usually at least 30,000 SI rayls and preferably at least 60,000 SI rayls. The permeance is usually at least 4 metric perms and preferably at least 6 metric perms.

The mean pore size of the porous portion of the muff is generally no greater than 70 micrometers. Attenuation will decrease with increasing pore size, in those situations wherein the relative pore area and volume remains the same as does the pore length and shape. A mean pore size of no greater than 50 micrometers is usually the case. The mean pore size is preferably less than 20 micrometers.

The structure for a typical hearing protector device within the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. It is comprised of headband 1 and muffs 2. Muffs 2 are comprised of cups 3 and earseal cushions 5. The porous portion of the muff can be either the cup or the earseal cushion or both. The cup and/or the earseal cushion can be partially or entirely porous. The cup can be an entirely porous cup with a coated nonporous portion, a porous cup which has been precompressed to alter its porosity or a nonporous cup with a porous insert. Porosity can be attained using any process and/or material which will provide the specific airflow resistance and permeance of the subject invention. The porous portion of the muff is generally at least 4 square centimeters and preferably at least 6 square centimeters. The porous material can, as stated hereinabove, be any one of a number of materials, which include ultra high molecular weight polyethylene resins, polypropylene, glass frits, ceramics and metals. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene resins are presently preferred. They typically have a weight average molecular weight of at least 3.5×10⁶ as measured by the solution viscosity method.

Permeance will generally increase with increasing surface area for the porous portion of the muff. The permeance of a totally porous earseal cushion will generally be at least 10 metric perms, and will preferably be at least 12 metric perms. The permeance of a totally porous cup will generally be at least 20 metric perms, and will preferably be at least 40 metric perms. Higher permeances of at least 20, and preferably at least 40, metric perms can also be found in partially porous muffs. An earseal cushion can be totally porous even if it has a nonporous backplate or connecting hardware.

The following examples are illustrative of several aspects of the invention.

EXAMPLE I

Thirty-six porous cups were compression molded from an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene resin. The cups were fabricated with four differing pore sizes, three different wall thicknesses and three different volumes. The cups were subsequently fitted with vinyl covered foam cushions, acoustical foam inserts and a headband.

Each of the cups were tested for attenuation at varying frequencies of from 125 Hz to 8,000 Hz and for specific airflow resistance. Attenuation was determined in accordance with the ANSI-S3.19 blockhead attenuation test using silicone flesh. Specific airflow resistance was determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in ASTM C-522-80. The results of the tests appear hereinbelow in Table I.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________     PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PORUS MUFF CUPS                                                  Wall                                                                  Nominal  Thick-                                                                              Cup.sup.1                                                                              Blockhead Attenuation (dB)       Specific Air-           Cup                                                                               Mean Pore                                                                            ness Wt.                                                                               Volume                                                                              Hz                               flow Resistance         No.                                                                               Size (μm)                                                                         (inches)                                                                            (g)                                                                               (ml) 125 250 500 1000                                                                               2000                                                                               3000                                                                               4000                                                                              6000                                                                              8000                                                                              (SI                     __________________________________________________________________________                                                            Rayls)                   1  5    1/8  45 103  4.5 8.0 18.5                                                                               27.0                                                                               34.0                                                                               34.0                                                                               36.0                                                                              34.0                                                                              37.0                                                                              3.61 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 2  5    1/4  59 103  6.5 11.0                                                                               22.0                                                                               32.0                                                                               42.0                                                                               43.0                                                                               42.5                                                                              40.0                                                                              47.0                                                                              5.42 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 3  5    3/8  89 103  5.0 17.0                                                                               28.5                                                                               45.1                                                                               47.0                                                                               46.0                                                                               48.0                                                                              40.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              7.5  ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 4  5    1/8  61 195  8.5 16.0                                                                               25.0                                                                               31.0                                                                               36.5                                                                               34.5                                                                               31.5                                                                              35.5                                                                              37.5                                                                              5.24 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 5  5    1/4  82 195  5.5 15.0                                                                               22.5                                                                               30.0                                                                               36.0                                                                               30.5                                                                               35.5                                                                              40.5                                                                              41.5                                                                              4.39 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 6  5    3/8  124                                                                               195  10.5                                                                               23.0                                                                               33.0                                                                               47.0                                                                               38.0                                                                               35.0                                                                               39.0                                                                              41.0                                                                              42.0                                                                              7.03 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 7  5    1/8  71 286  8.0 14.0                                                                               21.0                                                                               24.5                                                                               31.0                                                                               26.5                                                                               28.0                                                                              36.0                                                                              37.5                                                                              2.97 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 8  5    1/4  108                                                                               286  10.0                                                                               21.0                                                                               29.0                                                                               33.5                                                                               36.5                                                                               34.5                                                                               32.0                                                                              41.5                                                                              45.0                                                                              5.94 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                 9  5    3/8  158                                                                               286  14.5                                                                               24.0                                                                               33.0                                                                               43.0                                                                               40.5                                                                               36.0                                                                               34.5                                                                              39.5                                                                              43.0                                                                              6.11 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                10 10    1/8  46 103  6.5 9.0 20.0                                                                               28.0                                                                               35.5                                                                               35.5                                                                               36.0                                                                              36.0                                                                              38.0                                                                              4.15 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                11 10    1/4  60 103  6.0 11.0                                                                               22.0                                                                               34.0                                                                               42.5                                                                               43.5                                                                               43.5                                                                              39.0                                                                              45.5                                                                              4.72 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                12 10    3/8  88 103  6.0 16.0                                                                               26.0                                                                               37.5                                                                               47.0                                                                               45.0                                                                               46.0                                                                              41.0                                                                              49.0                                                                              5.49 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                13 10    1/8  48 195  6.0 13.0                                                                               21.5                                                                               27.0                                                                               32.5                                                                               30.0                                                                               30.0                                                                              34.5                                                                              36.0                                                                              3.40 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                14 10    1/4  83 195  7.0 16.0                                                                               24.0                                                                               32.0                                                                               38.0                                                                               33.0                                                                               36.5                                                                              43.0                                                                              45.5                                                                              3.89 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                15 10    3/8  126                                                                               195  9.0 19.0                                                                               27.0                                                                               39.5                                                                               36.5                                                                               34.5                                                                               40.0                                                                              43.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              4.42 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                16 10    1/8  70 286  5.0 10.0                                                                               16.5                                                                               21.0                                                                               26.0                                                                               25.0                                                                               24.0                                                                              29.0                                                                              30.0                                                                              1.76 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                17 10    1/4  111                                                                               286  9.0 19.5                                                                               25.5                                                                               31.0                                                                               36.0                                                                               35.5                                                                               32.0                                                                              41.5                                                                              44.0                                                                              4.72 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                18 10    3/8  156                                                                               286  12.5                                                                               20.5                                                                               30.0                                                                               41.0                                                                               38.5                                                                               37.0                                                                               36.0                                                                              40.0                                                                              45.0                                                                              5.21 ×                                                                   10.sup.4                19 70    1/8  44 103  0   0.5 4.0 9.0 16.5                                                                               15.5                                                                               14.5                                                                              17.0                                                                              17.0                                                                              3.31 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                20 70    1/4  53 103  0   1.0 5.0 11.0                                                                               18.0                                                                               18.0                                                                               17.5                                                                              20.5                                                                              20.5                                                                              3.90 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                21 70    3/8  77 103  4.5 6.0 10.0                                                                               16.2                                                                               23.0                                                                               24.0                                                                               25.0                                                                              28.0                                                                              28.0                                                                              5.16 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                22 70    1/8  61 195  4.0 5.0 8.0 12.0                                                                               18.0                                                                               19.0                                                                               19.5                                                                              21.5                                                                              21.0                                                                              3.01 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                23 70    1/4  74 195  0   2.0 6.0 12.0                                                                               18.0                                                                               17.5                                                                               19.0                                                                              20.0                                                                              21.0                                                                              4.23 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                24 70    3/8  106                                                                               195  0   3.0 7.0 12.5                                                                               17.5                                                                               18.0                                                                               20.5                                                                              23.0                                                                              25.0                                                                              4.13 ×                                                                   10.sup. 3               25 70    1/8  64 286  1.0 1.0 3.5 8.0 12.0                                                                               14.0                                                                               14.5                                                                              14.0                                                                              14.5                                                                              2.38 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                26 70    1/4  94 286  2.0 3.5 6.5 11.0                                                                               16.0                                                                               19.5                                                                               19.5                                                                              22.0                                                                              22.0                                                                              3.00 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                27 70    3/8  137                                                                               286  1.0 3.5 7.5 13.0                                                                               16.5                                                                               20.5                                                                               22.5                                                                              23.0                                                                              24.5                                                                              4.58 ×                                                                   10.sup.3                28 200   1/8  43 103  0   -1.0                                                                               -1.0                                                                               -3.5                                                                               +2.0                                                                               +5.5                                                                               5.0                                                                               9.0                                                                               9.5                                                                               1.01 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                29 200   1/4  59 103  0   -0.5                                                                               -1.0                                                                               -4.0                                                                               +4.5                                                                               7.5 7.5                                                                               10.0                                                                              10.5                                                                              2.21 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                30 200   3/8  87 103  -0.5                                                                               -0.5                                                                               -1.5                                                                               -3.0                                                                               +7.0                                                                               8.5 8.0                                                                               10.0                                                                              9.5                                                                               3.12 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                31 200   1/8  58 195  0   0   -1.0                                                                               -3.0                                                                               2.0 4.0 4.5                                                                               9.0                                                                               10.0                                                                              1.17 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                32 200   1/4  81 195  -0.5                                                                               -1.0                                                                               -1.0                                                                               -4.0                                                                               4.0 5.5 8.0                                                                               10.0                                                                              10.5                                                                              1.30 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                33 200   3/8  123                                                                               195  -0.5                                                                               -0.5                                                                               -2.0                                                                               -3.0                                                                               6.5 7.0 9.0                                                                               10.0                                                                              9.5                                                                               2.59 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                34 200   1/8  68 286  0   -1.0                                                                               -1.0                                                                               -3.0                                                                               2.0 3.5 5.0                                                                               9.0                                                                               10.0                                                                              9.30 ×                                                                   10.sup.1                35 200   1/4  108                                                                               286  0   -0.5                                                                               -1.5                                                                               -4.0                                                                               1.0 6.0 7.0                                                                               9.0                                                                               9.0                                                                               1.20 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                36 200   3/8  156                                                                               286  -0.5                                                                               -1.0                                                                               -2.0                                                                               -3.0                                                                               5.5 8.5 9.5                                                                               10.5                                                                              11.0                                                                              2.16 ×                                                                   10.sup.2                __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.1 Cup, cushion back plate, cushion & acoustical foam                

Table I clearly shows, contrary to prior beliefs, that porous muffs can have good noise attenuating properties. Table I shows that porous muffs can have good noise attenuating properties if the size, shape and number of pores is controlled as taught herein. The attenuation for Cup Nos. 1-18 is far superior to that for Cup Nos. 19-36. The lowest specific airflow resistance for any of Cup Nos. 1-18 is 17,600 SI rayls. The highest specific airflow resistance for any of Cup Nos. 19-36 is 5,160 SI rayls. The present invention calls for a specific airflow resistance of at least 15,000 SI rayls.

Table I also shows how the size, shape and number of pores affect specific airflow resistance. Specific airflow resistance is shown to decrease with increasing pore size, with decreasing pore length and with an increasing number of pores.

EXAMPLE II

Four commercial nonporous muffs (Muff Nos. A-D) were tested for attenuation at varying frequencies of from 125 Hz to 8,000 Hz. Attenuation was determined in accordance with the ANSI-S3.19 blockhead attenuation test using silicone flesh. The results of the tests appear hereinbelow in Table II, along with those for Cup Nos. 6 and 9 (Example I).

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Comparison of ANSI-S3.19 Blockhead Attenuation                                 Data for Commerical Muffs and Porous Muffs                                                                   Log Average                                      Attentuation (dB)             of Nine                                          Muff                                                                              125                                                                               250                                                                               500                                                                               1000                                                                              2000                                                                              3000                                                                              4000                                                                              6000                                                                              8000                                                                              Frequencies                                      __________________________________________________________________________     A. 1  18 30 34 45 45 47 43 50 21                                               B. 8  20 27 38 46 47 46 43 42 27                                               C. 9  18 30 43 41 34 33 34 37 27                                               D. 21 24 33 42 50 43 42 43 44 34                                               6. 11 23 33 47 38 35 39 41 42 30                                               9. 15 24 33 43 40 36 35 40 43 32                                               __________________________________________________________________________

Table II shows that the average attenuation of the porous muffs is within the range of the solid muffs. The porous muffs of the present invention compare very favorably with the nonporous muffs.

EXAMPLE III

A graphical correlation of attenuation versus specific airflow resistance is seen in FIGS. 2-5. FIGS. 2-5 are respectively at 125, 250, 500 and 1000 Hz. Attenuation at 500 and 1000 Hz is more meaningful with respect to hearing protection than is attenuation at the lower frequencies of 125 and 250 Hz. Attenuation was determined in accordance with the ANSI-S3.19 blockhead attenuation test using silicone flesh. Specific airflow resistance was determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in ASTM C-522-80 with the internal area of the cup being used for all calculations regardless of whether the cup was totally or partially porous. The data points are identified as follows:

1. "×"-those cups from Table I having a wall thickness of 1/4 inch and a volume of 195 ml.;

2. "•"-the remaining cups from Table I;

3. " "-the coated and uncoated cups from Table III hereinbelow;

4. "*"-the cups from Table IV hereinbelow having ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene inserts;

5. "Δ"-the cups from Table IV hereinbelow having ceramic inserts;

6. " "-the cups from Table IV hereinbelow having glass inserts; and

7. "□"-the cups from Table IV hereinbelow having stainless steel inserts.

FIGS. 2-5 show how attenuation increases with specific airflow resistance. Each of the Figures show a positively sloping line up to a maximum value of 75,000 to 85,000 SI rayls. Both the slopes and intercepts of the lines change with changes in frequency. At values greater than 75,000 to 85,000 SI rayls, the attenuation of the cups are mass-spring controlled. Cups with higher volumes would be above the level line while cups with lower volumes would be below the line.

The data for Table III was obtained by coating Table I cups having a wall thickness of 1/4 inch and a volume of 195 ml. The cups had a nominal pore size of either 5, 70 or 200 micrometers. The coating was a thin, light weight, nonporous styrene/unsaturated polyester film. A fully coated muff had a coating weight of from 1 to 2 grams.

                                      TABLE III                                    __________________________________________________________________________     ANSI S-3.19 BLOCKHEAD ATTENUATION VALUES AND AIRFLOW RESISTANCE                OF PARTIALLY COATED POROUS MUFF CUPS                                                                   Specific                                               Nominal                                                                             % of               Airflow                                                Pore Internal           Resistance                                                                             Coating                                        Diameter                                                                            Area Attenuation dB (at Hz)                                                                       (SI     Method                                         (μm)                                                                             Coated                                                                              125                                                                               250 500 1000                                                                              Rayls)* For the Cup                                    __________________________________________________________________________     200  0    6  5   5   3  1.62 × 10.sup.2                                                                  From Bottom, Up                                200  50   3  2   1   1  3.22 × 10.sup.2                                  200  75   0  -1  -4  5  6.66 × 10.sup.2                                  200  88   0  -1  -4  9  9.82 × 10.sup.2                                  200  94   0  0   7   18 3.08 × 10.sup.3                                  200  100  9  23  34  45 >1.2  × 10.sup.7                                 70   0    2  8   8   14 4.79 × 10.sup.3                                                                  From Bottom, Up                                70   50   3  8   4   20 2.60 × 10.sup.4                                  70   75   5  13  18  24 2.60 × 10.sup.4                                  70   88   9  17  23  30 5.65 × 10.sup.4                                  70   94   11 21  29  26 1.19 × 10.sup.5                                  70   100  14 25  37  42 >1.2  × 10.sup.7                                 5    0    9  19  27  37 5.63 × 10.sup.4                                                                  From Bottom, Up                                5    50   11 20  30  40 1.16 × 10.sup.5                                  5    75   12 25  34  42 2.53 × 10.sup.5                                  5    88   13 26  35  43 4.88 × 10.sup.5                                  5    94   15 26  38  44 8.83 × 10.sup.5                                  5    100  15 27  39  45 >1.2  × 10.sup.7                                 5    0    10 18  26  37 5.20 × 10.sup.4                                                                  From Top Center, Down                          5    50   12 22  32  40 1.15 × 10.sup.5                                  5    75   12 24  35  40 2.26 × 10.sup.5                                  5    88   12 25  35  42 3.40 × 10.sup.5                                  5    94   14 26  38  43 4.93 × 10.sup.5                                  5    100  14 27  39  44 >1.2  × 10.sup.7                                 __________________________________________________________________________      *Based on total earmuff cup internal surface area.                       

The data for Table IV was obtained by inserting porous discs into a commercial muff (Muff C-Table II). The diameter and thickness of the inserts and the nominal pore size thereof are set forth in the table.

                                      TABLE IV                                     __________________________________________________________________________     ANSI S3.19 BLOCKHEAD ATTENUATION VALUES AND AIRFLOW RESISTANCE                 OF VARIOUS POROUS MATERIALS                                                                                                    Specific Airflow                    Nominal                                                                             Disk Insert                           Resistance                     Insert                                                                              Pore Dia.                                                                           Diameter                                                                            Thickness                                                                            Attenuation dB (at Hz)     (SI                            Material                                                                            (μm)                                                                             (mm) (mm)  125                                                                               250                                                                               500                                                                               1000                                                                              2000                                                                              3150                                                                              4000                                                                              6300                                                                              8000                                                                              Rayls)*                        __________________________________________________________________________     a    10   25.4 3.2   14 23 32 41 44 35 39 35 38  2.95 × 10.sup.5         a    20   25.4 3.2   19 25 34 45 42 40 46 44 49 6.95 × 10.sup.4          b    250  25.4 3.2    0 14 13 21 29 27 31 22 27 1.56 × 10.sup.4          c    50   30   3.2   10 22 30 38 37 31 37 39 43 2.3  × 10.sup.5          c    12   30   3.2    2 22 32 35 38 38 43 42 42 9.4  × 10.sup.6          c     5   30   3.2   17 23 33 41 40 35 43 42 42 5.8  × 10.sup.5          d    15   25.4 3.2   17 23 32 42 35 37 40 42 40 5.8  × 10.sup.5          e    20   25.4 3.2   12 24 33 39 39 35 39 43 42 3.3  × 10.sup.5          __________________________________________________________________________      *Based on total earmuff cup internal surface area (148 cm.sup.2)               a  Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene                                    b  Polypropylene                                                               c  Glass Frit                                                                  d  Ceramic (SiO.sub.2) Beads                                                   e  316 Stainless Steel                                                   

EXAMPLE IV

Ten of the thirty-six cups from Table I, and one other (Cup No. 37), were tested for water vapor transport (permeance) in accordance with a somewhat modified ASTM C-355-64 procedure. Cup No. 37 was compression molded from an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene resin as were the other cups from Table I. The cup parameters and permeance are shown hereinbelow in Table V. The ASTM procedure was modified because of the shape of the cup. Magnesium perchlorate was placed within the cups. A solid domed shaped closure was clamped to the cups. The magnesium perchlorate was rotated between weight readings. The cups were in a room controlled to 60% relative humidity.

                  TABLE V                                                          ______________________________________                                         WATER VAPOR PERMEANCE                                                          OF VARIOUS EARMUFF CUPS                                                              Nominal                Cup     Permeance                                 Cup   Pore Size                                                                               Cup Area (cm.sup.2)                                                                          Thickness                                                                              (Metric                                   No.   (μm)  External Internal                                                                              (In.)   Perms)                                  ______________________________________                                         37    2        240      182    .375    41.34                                    1    5         82       68    .125    88.76                                    4    5        139      125    .125    73.67                                    6    5        181      125    .375    44.52                                    9    5        240      182    .375    44.10                                   14    10       160      125    .250    61.42                                   20    70       160      125    .250    83.08                                   28    200       82       68    .125    67.10                                   31    200      139      125    .125    80.35                                   33    200      181      125    .375    41.59                                   36    200      240      182    .375    41.77                                   ______________________________________                                    

Table V clearly shows that cups of the subject invention (Cup Nos. 37, 1, 4, 6, 9 and 14) do permit water vapor transport therethrough. Each of these cups have a permeance in excess of 20 metric perms. This is consistent with the teachings of the present invention which call for a permeance of at least 20 metric perms when the cup is entirely porous.

EXAMPLE V

A test was conducted to determine what percentage of water evaporated from an open container would be transported through cups of the subject invention under the same conditions. The test was conducted at an average temperature of 73° F. and at an average relative humidity of 39%. The surface area of the water was 2.41 cm². The distance between the surface of the water and the mouth of the cup was 1.524 cm. The results of the test appear hereinbelow in Table VI.

                                      TABLE VI                                     __________________________________________________________________________     WATER VAPOR TRANSMISSION OF POROUS MUFF CUPS                                           Internal  External  Thickness                                                                            Wt. loss of water                                                                       Wt. of water                                                                           *Percentage                 Cup     Surface Area (cm.sup.2)                                                                  Surface Area (cm.sup.2)                                                                  (cm)  in dish after 24 hr                                                                     retained by cup                                                                        of control                  __________________________________________________________________________     Control --        --        --    2.7305 g --      100.00%                     Cup 15 Table I                                                                         125.1     155       .9525 1.5262 g .0093 g 55.55%                      Cup 16 Table I                                                                         182       241       .3175 1.8132 g .0122 g 65.96%                      __________________________________________________________________________      *Corrected for the water retained in the muff cup                        

Table VI clearly shows that cups of the subject invention do permit a significant amount of water vapor transport therethrough. Cup Nos. 15 and 16 respectively show a water vapor transport of 55.55 and 65.96% of the control (the open container).

EXAMPLE VI

Two muffs were formed by fitting two nonporous cups (Cups E and F) with porous earseal cushions. The cushions were formed by covering foam with selected chamois. The muffs were mounted on a silicone rubber mounting plate (Shore A durometer 20) with enough force to compress the cushions to two-thirds of their original height. The cushion dimensions are shown hereinbelow in Table VII.

                  TABLE VII                                                        ______________________________________                                         Cushion Dimensions                                                                                Internal    External                                        Muff   Height (in.)                                                                               Perimeter (in.)                                                                            Perimeter (in.)                                 ______________________________________                                         E.     0.365       7.125       11.312                                          F.     0.475       6.312       10.812                                          ______________________________________                                    

The muffs were tested for specific airflow resistance and water vapor transport (permeance). Specific airflow resistance was determined in accordance with ASTM C-522-80. Water vapor transport was determined in accordance with the modified ASTM C-355-64 procedure discussed hereinabove in Example IV. The results of the tests appear hereinbelow in Table VIII.

                  TABLE VIII                                                       ______________________________________                                                   Specific Airflow                                                               Resistance   Permeance                                               Muff      (SI Rayls)   (Metric Perms)                                          ______________________________________                                         E.        3.01 × 10.sup.4                                                                       60.49                                                   F.        5.57 × 10.sup.4                                                                       50.95                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The results of Table VIII show that the criteria of the subject invention can be achieved with a porous earseal cushion. Muffs E and F have a specific airflow resistance in excess of 15,000 SI rayls and a permeance in excess of 10 metric perms. The present invention calls for a permeance of at least 10 metric perms when the earseal cushion is entirely porous.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the novel principles of the invention disclosed herein in connection with specific examples thereof will support various other modifications and applications of the same. It is accordingly desired that in construing the breadth of the appended claims they shall not be limited to the specific examples of the invention described herein. 

I claim:
 1. In an ear protecting device for protecting a wearer from disturbing noise levels, which device is comprised of: a connecting member and a pair of muffs suitable for covering a wearer's ears, said muffs being suspended from opposite portions of the connecting member, said muffs having an inner surface and an outer surface: the improvement comprising; sound attenuating muffs which are permeable to water vapor, each said muff being at least partially porous, pores on said inner surface of each said muff being openly connected with pores on said outer surface of each said muff, each said muff having a specific airflow resistance of at least 30,000 SI rayls, each said muff having a permeance of at least 2 metric perms.
 2. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein each said muff has a specific airflow resistance of at least 60,000 SI rayls.
 3. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein each said muff has a permeance of at least 4 metric perms.
 4. An ear protecting device according to claim 3, wherein each said muff has a permeance of at least 6 metric perms.
 5. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein each of said muffs are comprised of a cup and an earseal cushion, each of said cups being at least partially porous.
 6. An ear protecting device according to claim 5, wherein each of said cups is entirely porous.
 7. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein each of said muffs are comprised of a cup and an earseal cushion, each of said earseal cushions being at least partially porous.
 8. An ear protecting device according to claim 7, wherein each of said earseal cushions is entirely porous.
 9. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein the mean pore size of the porous portion of the muff is no greater than 70 micrometers.
 10. An ear protecting device according to claim 9, wherein the mean pore size of the porous portion of the muff is no greater than 50 micrometers.
 11. An ear protecting device according to claim 10, wherein the mean pore size of the porous portion of the muff is no greater than 20 micrometers.
 12. An ear protecting device according to claim 5, wherein each of said cups is formed from a porous material and wherein each of said cups has a coated nonporous portion.
 13. An ear protecting device according to claim 5, wherein each of said cups is formed from a nonporous material and wherein each of said cups has a porous insert.
 14. An ear protecting device according to claim 5, wherein the porous portion of said cup is an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene resin.
 15. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein each said muff has a specific airflow resistance of at least 75,000 SI rayls.
 16. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein the porous portion of each said muff is at least 4 square centimeters.
 17. An ear protecting device according to claim 16, wherein the porous protion of each said muff is at least 6 square centimeters.
 18. An ear protecting device according to claim 6, wherein each said muff has a permeance of at least 20 metric perms.
 19. An ear protecting device according to claim 18, wherein each said muff has a permeance of at least 40 metric perms.
 20. An ear protecting device according to claim 8, wherein each said muff has permeance of at least 10 metric perms.
 21. An ear protecting device according to claim 20, wherein each said muff has a permeance of at least 12 metric perms.
 22. An ear protecting device according to claim 1, wherein each said muff has a permeance of at least 20 metric perms. 